Tuesday, August 24, 1999 Published at 14:51 GMT 15:51 UKSchu made to waitMichael Schumacher is carried off injured at the British Grand PrixFerrari driver Michael Schumacher will not compete in the forthcoming Belgian Grand Prix - despite rumours of an early return from injury.

Instead he is exected to make his comeback in the Italian leg of the championship a fortnight later.

And it has also been announced that former Ferrari star, Jean Alesi, is to switch teams for next season.

German double world champion Schumacher suffered a double fracture to his right leg at the British Grand Prix in July.

A Ferrari statement said: "Michael Schumacher will be testing next week at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix.

"During the session, which will run from September 1-3, he will also simulate a race, with the objective of competing in the Italian GP."

Ankle pain

Speculation of an early return was rife after the German put in a demanding practice session aboard his F399 at Mugello last week.

Mika Salo: Ferrari drive at Spa

But a pain in his ankle following the practice prevented the German from completing his physical training programme.

The Italian team have decided to give Schumacher's stand-in Mika Salo another drive alongside world championship leader Eddie Irvine, before the race at Monza on September 12.

Ferrari are currently four points ahead of McLaren in the
constructors' world championship and Irvine two in front of McLaren's defending champion Mika Hakkinen in the drivers' series.